Crane gives Rocks their third win in five days

A 77th-minute goal from James Crane was enough to earn another three points for the Rocks – their third win in five days.

It strengthened their position in the play-off places and left them just nine points off leaders Hampton and Richmond, who have played five games more.

At a windy Bloomfields, Doug Tuck returned from suspension as a good number of Bognor fans arrived after the long trip from the south coast.

Dan Beck and Craig Robson started on the bench as they were carrying knocks from the past week’s games, which meant Chad Field and Snorre Nilsen both got starts. After his hat-trick on Thursday night against Grays, Alfie Rutherford also had a start.

Windy conditions were a major factor from the start but Ollie Pearce’s long ball forward to Jason Prior saw the striker flick the ball into the box for Sami El-Abd, but he could only a corner. Pearce’s corner from the right was headed by Keiran Morphew towards his own goal but Daniel Gay was well positioned to save.

Darryl Coakley’s long throw into the box had to be headed out by El-Abd.

Stuart Green latched on to a forward pass by Prior to win a throw. The throw by Harvey Whyte resulted in Green, Doug Tuck and Pearce all having shots blocked.

James Akintunde was fouled and Michael Brothers curled a free-kick towards the top corner but Grant Smith managed to push it away.

Oliver Mann was sent through by Brothers but he looped his shot the bar.

Pearce teed up Rutherford but he sent his shot well wide. Prior hit a deflected shot at goal that was easily stopped by Gay.

The wind was against Bognor and they struggled to keep the ball out of their own half.

But they did have a good spell as Whyte and Pearce propelled them forward.

Coakley hit a dipping free-kick that almost beat Smith but he deflected the ball over the bar after it bounced awkwardly in front of him.